CareVets Napier

Victoria graduated from Massey University, Palmerston North in 2003. She previously worked in the King Country and Hawkes Bay in mixed practice. Joining the Carevets team in 2019, Victoria has a special interest in Small Animal Medicine and Healthcare. Victoria enjoys the pleasures of living on a lifestyle block fondly referred to as the “hobby farm” with her 2 children and Harold the cat who rules the roost. This means outside hours are spent enjoying homelife with her family, reading, walks and keeping active as well as the “odd Gin” at sunset.

Kate qualified as a Veterinarian in 1996. She has a passion for all cat and dog medicine and soft tissue surgery, with a strong leaning toward preventative veterinary care. Kate enjoys the fun team atmosphere at CareVets Napier and working in her most organised clinic to date! She lives rurally with her beef farmer husband, 2 daughters and a menagerie of animals. When not in the clinic, Kate can be found around Hawkes Bay with her daughters equestrian pursuits, or at home with a good book. She loves spending special extended family time in Queen Charlotte Sound, Marlborough.

June graduated from China in 2015 with a Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine and four years later, finished her Masters Degree of Veterinary Medicine in Taiwan. She came to New Zealand in March 2022 and has worked as a Veterinary Nurse while exploring our beautiful country. Luckily, she joined the CareVets team and finally started her Veterinary career – hooray! June has a Formosan dog that she adopted from Taiwan and together they have conquered many tramping trails and the list is growing.

Dr Lexie began her journey with CareVets in 2025, bringing with her a veterinary degree from China and a deep passion for animal care. Originally arriving in New Zealand on a working holiday, she was quickly captivated by the country’s natural beauty and unique wildlife—and decided to make it her home. She is currently working toward full veterinary registration in New Zealand and is dedicated to the health and wellbeing of every furry friend she meets. Outside the clinic, Lexie embraces the great outdoors with a love for trail running, hiking, and the early stages of her mountaineering adventures. On rainy weekends, she’s happiest curled up with a good book and a strong cup of coffee.

Graduating with a Diploma in Veterinary Nursing in 2018, Heather worked as a veterinary nurse before joining the CareVets Napier family in 2022. She has hand-reared many orphaned kittens and loves the fulfillment it gives to see them grow and become fit and health, ready for rehoming. Leading our Reception-Retail team and fostering an atmosphere that is friendly and professional for our clients, and their pets, is both a privilege and a passion for Heather.

Emily qualified with her Diploma in Veterinary Nursing from UCOL in 2015—the same year she joined the CareVets Napier team. Her lifelong passion for animals was sparked while growing up on her family’s lifestyle block in the Manawatu. Now based in sunny Hawke’s Bay, Emily loves life with her husband, daughter, and their two beloved dogs: Mocha the Rottweiler and Pixie the French Bulldog (pictured above). She brings warmth, experience, and dedication to every patient she cares for.

An adventurer and nature enthusiast, Lautaro blends his passion for the outdoors with a deep commitment to animal care. Originally graduating as a veterinarian in Argentina, he has worked across a wide range of settings—from small animal clinics to rural environments—always prioritising animal welfare through a holistic approach. Now based in New Zealand, Lautaro continues his work in the veterinary field as a Veterinary Nurse, bringing his experience, compassion, and dedication to every patient he cares for.

Sam started her Veterinary Nursing journey in 2017, doing all her work experiences through CareVets Napier. In 2019 she officially became a part of the CareVets team, working through the first COVID lockdown. As a new nurse this ignited her passion for nursing, finally graduating with her Diploma at the end of 2020. From a young age Sam knew she wanted to work with animals, to become a Zoo Keeper was her dream. Sam is a mother to 4 amazing young men who each day remind her she absolutely is the keeper of her own Zoo!